In its 2021 year-end report, Subaru of America, Inc. reported 583,810 vehicles sold within the year. From this figure, the automaker sold 27,141 WRX and STI models, a 28% increase from the previous year’s sales.

The report also mentioned that the company’s overall sales were a 4.6% decline from last year, owing to a semiconductor shortage within the automobile industry. Despite this decrease, the WRX models increased their sales.

If you’re planning to get a Subaru Impreza WRX to travel around, get area guides as your travel companion to help you find the best places to visit around town.

How well does the Subaru Impreza WRX perform? What is this vehicle’s history? Should you consider purchasing this car?

This article delves into the Subaru Impreza WRX’s history and performance. It discusses the various reasons to consider buying this vehicle.

The Subaru Impreza WRX’s Performance

Subaru debuted its turbocharged WRX performance version alongside the automaker’s mainstream models on April 2, 2007. While most markets then adopted the WRX (world rally experimental) abbreviation, the North American, Japanese, and U.K. markets retained the complete “Subaru Impreza WRX” name.

The 2021 WRX STI (Subaru Tecnica International) has a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four that pumps out a characteristic burbling sound from the car’s quad exhaust pipes.

Aside from the little initial lag from the turbo spooling up, the engine’s punchy power delivery may be cumbersome for some drivers.

Handling the vehicle’s six-speed manual gearbox, including high-rpm (revolutions per minute) clutch drops, can help the car to keep pulling firmly and attain maximum acceleration.

With its all-wheel-drive traction and buttoned-down chassis, The STI is robust and more enjoyable than the average WRX when driving on winding backroads. The stable suspension system also keeps excess body motion in check. However, this effect means driving over rougher pavement becomes less comfortable.

The car’s electrically assisted steering is direct and quick. At the same time, the adjustable center differential between the front and rear wheel axles lets the driver fine-tune the chassis further by varying the front-to-rear torque split of the drivetrain.

Although the WRX STI’s engine is larger and has an older design than many modern four-cylinder engines, it’s among the least economical in its class. This engine characteristic means other four-wheel-drive mid-size pickups can take you farther with one gallon of gas than the STI.

The WRX STI’s humble origins are evident inside its cabin, which has a basic layout, quality, and feature count. The ambiance inside is dark despite the red accents on the optional Recaro seats and the red seatbelts.

Even the updated materials and additional soundproofing have little effect on improving the STI’s accessories proportionately with the vehicle’s price.

The STI is relatively roomy, thanks to a spacious trunk and a split folding rear seat. The car has sufficient storage for small items on its center console, such as the console bin and small door pockets.

The Subaru Impreza WRX’s History

The WRX has been around for a few decades and has produced several models, including:

• 1992 WRX Type RA: When this model launched in 1992 (1993 in the North American market), the new, curvier compact had strong sales.

The Type RA had a five-speed manual transmission and had a top speed of 135 miles per hour (mph) or 217.2 kilometers per hour (kph). The vehicle could accelerate from 0 to 60 in five seconds.

• 1997 Subaru WRX SportWagon: The WRX has appeared as a compact hatchback since the first cars rolled off the production line. This model suited practical folks who needed to haul cargo.

• 1998 WRX STi 22B: Built to celebrate Subaru’s 40th anniversary, this two-door widebody Impreza proved that Subaru could build cars that can look good.

Powered by a manually assembled 2.2-liter stroker engine, the 22B’s 276-horsepower (hp) rating can mask the car’s roll-on torque characteristics, especially in high-speed passing maneuvers.

• 2002 USDM WRX: After Subaru teased the U.S. market with a turbocharged show car called the 2.5RX in the late 90s, the company entered the U.S. automobile industry.

The first cars to arrive in the country were the so-called Bugeyes due to the cars’ distinct round headlights.

Considered by car enthusiasts as the right car at the right time, the 227-hp USDM WRX posted performance times comparable to other high-performance vehicles like the BMW 3-series and Audi S4.

• 2013 WRX Special Edition: Subaru revealed the special edition WRX at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show the previous year.

These limited-edition four-door sedans that cost an extra $500 came with an impressive 265hp for the WRX and 305hp for the STI.

Both versions have a grippy, all-weather performance and reasonably spacious trunks and roof rails.

Why Buy the Impreza WRX?

You may want to buy the WRX for the following reasons:

• Supercharged engine: The WRX STI uses Subaru’s iconic turbocharged engine, which has a large capacity intercooler to allow more output without overheating or exhausting the engine.
• Six-speed manual transmission: The vehicle’s close-ratio gearbox has a limited-slip differential (LSD) that, with the turbocharged engine, makes the Impreza WRX STI easy to drive.

An LSD is a gear train that allows its two output shafts to rotate at varying speeds and limit the maximum difference between the two shafts.

• Efficient braking system: The improved braking mechanism is an upgrade from Subaru’s WRX model. STI’s Brembo brakes comprise dual-piston rear calipers with oversized rotors and a six-piston front.
• Dual-zone climate control: This temperature management technology lets you control the WRX’s front- and rear-end temperatures, meaning you can adjust the temperature for the front and back seats separately.
• Eyesight driver assist technology: Subaru ensures that you have proper security in the driver’s seat by introducing the EyeSight Technology that helps prevent up to 85% of rear-end accidents. The feature alerts you when the system detects that you’re driving in danger and optimizes cruise control.

Visit a Subaru dealer near you to learn more about the Impreza WRX or other cars made by Subaru.